Where do they change the briefs of special needs children in your school?

[NurseMommyRN]

Hello. I'm an RN, but also mother to a severely disabled girl who has a lot of health needs. I recently found out that for the past 5 years, but daughter's incontinent briefs have just been changed openly in the special ed classroom. The reason I was not aware of it sooner is because they used to be in a different classroom that had a privacy area with a curtain, but when they moved, nobody saw fit to have another area made.

When I questioned the teacher about it her response was "oh, I wondered about that when I first started here, but since there were no mainstream kids in the classroom, I didn't think it was a big deal". I was outraged, but the school seems to think I'm making much ado about nothing. Because of some of my daughter's medical conditions, she has had pubic hair since around 5 yrs old. She is also the only female in the classroom, parents are allowed in the classroom, as well as the male principal enters the classroom.

They finally put up a privacy curtain, but I'm just so shocked that it went on for so long and nobody thought anything of it.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

When i worked in special ed, the modesty was a bit lax in comparison to the public school, in regards to staff changing/ showering/ redressing etc. But overall, functions that would require privacy were given appropriate privacy via trips to the bathroom or use of screens. Even when kids would strip themselves down and go for a quick streak through the halls, you would see a staff member chasing after with clothes in one hand and dragging a screen down the hall.

I'd imagine that the school didn't consider the implications of changing a student in full view of the other students and didn't consider that the other students would notice or that your daughter would care, but then people often underestimate how perceptive special needs children to their surroundings. Just because the boys in the class weren't leering at her, didn't mean they didn' notice. As a special ed school though should know that better than most.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

At the very least they should provide a screen for privacy. Just because your DD can't register a complaint doesn't mean she isn't bothered by this. My son is profoundly mentally handicapped and his classroom is tiny. Christian is diaper-dependant and trip-trained. They have a lot of equipment, wheelchairs, and furniture in the room. Still, they are able to find a small corner for changing briefs and changing clothes. They take him to the boys restroom for potty training--no girls allowed! IMO, you need to advocate for your daughter. There is no excuse for not giving those children the privacy they deserve.

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

There are two little girls here in my (public) school that are in briefs. One is in first grade and one is in kindergarten. They are changed in my office, with the door closed and locked and the curtain pulled.

I completely understand you being upset and I don't think you're making much ado about nothing. Your daughter's privacy was violated and that's not right. Regardless of her mental status, they should have known that it was not okay to change her in the middle of an open classroom with other students and staff present. What is the principal saying about the situation??

[SchoolNurseBSN]

You should be upset, your child deserves privacy! There is a special needs student at my school. When she is changed, it is in my clinic with the door closed AND locked! Staff is always getting mad at me becuase I don't let them walk throught the clinic when I am assessing a student or having a private conversation AND these kids are not even unclothed!!!

[2ndgenschoolnurse]

Dignity is a right not an honor! Your daughter is lucky she has you fighting to maintane her right to dignity! Stay strong momma!!

[NurseMommyRN]

Thanks, everybody. The principal is one of the biggest problems I have at the school. He claims he has no medical background when it is convenient for him to do so, then tries to step in and "plays doctor" to alienate the parents every chance he gets.

The school refused to let my home health nurse use the school nurse's office to change my daughter because they said there was no room in her office. Crazy!

I have filed a complaint with the state. I'm not sure anything will come of it, but they at least need to get into these classrooms and train people in the definition of dignity.

[SchoolNurseBSN]

Thanks, everybody. The principal is one of the biggest problems I have at the school. He claims he has no medical background when it is convenient for him to do so, then tries to step in and "plays doctor" to alienate the parents every chance he gets.

The school refused to let my home health nurse use the school nurse's office to change my daughter because they said there was no room in her office. Crazy!

I have filed a complaint with the state. I'm not sure anything will come of it, but they at least need to get into these classrooms and train people in the definition of dignity.

Don't give up! Push as far and as hard as you can because if this is happening to your child it is happening to others as well.

[systoly]

Thanks, everybody. The principal is one of the biggest problems I have at the school. He claims he has no medical background when it is convenient for him to do so, then tries to step in and "plays doctor" to alienate the parents every chance he gets.

The school refused to let my home health nurse use the school nurse's office to change my daughter because they said there was no room in her office. Crazy!

I have filed a complaint with the state. I'm not sure anything will come of it, but they at least need to get into these classrooms and train people in the definition of dignity.

Since when does it require a medical background to know that exposing a child is not appropriate???

I'm not a school nurse, but have gone to school with many of my little patients. The special ed class I currently visit has a bathroom for kids with B&B control. There's a walk in closet with a mat on the floor that the teachers use for changing briefs (ambulatory kids). I have access to the therapy room and table which is a lot easier than lowering to the floor. We use mats turned on edge to provide privacy for admin of Rx and bolus via Mickeye